Granit Welcomes Pip and Sophie

2015 is turning out to be a bumper year for Granit and we have hired again with Pip and Sophie joining our architectural team.

Sophie studied architecture at the University of Edinburgh where she achieved a 1st class bachelors degree. Whilst at University she designed buildings based in Edinburgh, Glasgow, the Isle of Kerrera and Rome. Her interest in architecture stems from an interest in the boundary between art and architecture and the designing of space for art.

Sophie researched space for art and art for space, through examining the Turbine Hall at the Tate Modern designed by Herzog and de Meuron as a space for art for her dissertation. Previously she has worked at practices where spaces for art are designed: Carmody Groake based in London and Studio Miessen in Berlin.

The architect that has inspired Sophie throughout her studies is David Chipperfield due to his gallery and museum work:”The Neues Museum in Berlin is a great example of how he creates an architecture rooted in the present but with an awareness of history and even though you have to pay to get in, I’ve visited the museum 7 times now!”

Pip studied for his Part 1 & 2 architectural qualifications at the University of Westminster. His interest in architecture stemmed from his grandfather who was an Architect and worked extensively in London and Hong Kong. This provided him with the opportunity to explore and appreciate the way design can affect how we, as individuals, experience a space and how it can influence behaviour.

Before going into architecture Pip studied art and design where he developed an interest in furniture design. He also trained as a carpenter and has previously set up his own retail business where he oversaw the design and installation of two shop interiors.

When it comes to architectural interests his main focuses are experimental materiality, biomimetics and green issues (i.e. the use of locally/sustainably sourced and natural materials). From a design point of view Pip’s preferred architects would be Charles Rennie Mackintosh, Frank Lloyd Wright and the likes of Álvaro Siza and Peter Zumthor.